If we don't learn from the past then we are bound to repeat the same mistakes.

The Firedog number 1-888-333-233 has been closed, since Firedog no longer exists.

You have to call the 1-800-286-0470 since you purchased your TV before 12/1/2006.

@madog: Wow! That was deep and helpful.

@puyro: Both you and Madog must have had some stupid soup today! Why give out the # to Firedog if it is closed? Did you mean to indicate a closing date of 12/1/2009 for the warranty work?

Wake Up People!!!

@danno50: Just a tip from your uncle Madog.

People still purchase warranties from the store and not from the manufacturer (when applicable)? I mean seriously, how many times must this happen before people learn that it's just a bad idea?

@madog: For example, at my old job I had a customer come in with a MacBook Pro that was just a 18 months old but out of the standard year warranty, however, he had purchased CompUSA's warranty because they had lied to his face stating that the laptop must be shipped off to get repaired under Apple's warranty, but under their warranty it would be fixed in house. While that can be true, CompUSA was an authorized Mac repair shop (in my area at least) and there would be no need to ship it off unless multiple large repairs were necessary which is not often the case.

Of course, a week before the drive went dead CompUSA closed, and the poor guy was out the initial $400 (he stated) which is more expensive than AppleCare and was now out another ~$300 because he had to pay for the repair at our store.

This is just one example of the thousands that have been fleeced by some standard warranties in general, but I think that most people who've had problems with them stem from the fact they chose the store warranty over the manufacturers through lies and deceit.

It will only keep happening if people continue to purchase their crap services, and they're even more likely to get boned in these uncertain economic times.

@danno50: I think he was mentioning the number because it was mentioned in the article and he was explaining why, not giving it out trying to get people to call it.

And to the second point, he was pointing out the correct number to call from the article summary based on the OP's purchase date, not trying to indicate any closing date for warranty work.

I'm glad I didn't buy an extended warranty for my PS3 last year. Otherwise, it would be worthless.

@chucklebuck: Explaining why the number doesn't work, I should clarify.

Does this mean I have to PAY to get my plasma screen recharged now?

All I want for Christmas is a "How Do I Use My Best Buy Extended Warranty Now?" post.

@se7a7n7: Yeah, make sure to schedule your appointment with the store in five year. They won't show up for the appointment, of course, but it's still your responsibility (and on your dime!) to have this essential procedure done.

And so it begins. I saw the same crap with mc duffs and rex any one remember them. I was an inhome tv repairmen when they went out of business and lots of people got screwed on electronics and appliances both times. We tried to help some people out with a discount but we took a pretty big hit on parts and labor ourselves.

I've had nothing but trouble trying to have my laptop serviced using the extended warranty I bought with it from CompUSA before it closed. The motherboard has died four times in three years due to a chronic overheating problem (which others who have the same model have also had).

Since it was the fourth time it is going in for service, it should be a replacement under the terms of the contract. However, it came back as simply being repaired. So I had to resend the laptop in, and am now waiting to hear back with what they are going to offer me (a new laptop vs. check for purchase price).

I looked at all of my repair receipts, and have realized that over the 3 years I've owned it, I've been without the laptop for 3+ months due to shipping times, repair times, and return shipping times.

Since I only have 2 weeks left on the service plan, I hope they get it right this time.

People talk bad about buying extended warranties... but i always get one for my laptop... Well, i sent my laptop off on the 16th, They got it on the 20th. And I'm waiting on hearing what they are going to do with the laptop... They are either going to fix the screen, or scrap the laptop and issue me a new laptop with similar specs.

I just hope this doesn't get jacked up with the downfall of CC.

I spent nearly three years processing warranty repairs for Staples for HP, Dell, Acer, and Assurant extended warranties for these three brands.

HP and Dell were competent, fast, and helpful. Acer was friendly and helpful, but clueless. Assurant on the other hand, would do anything to get out of coverage.

I've seen Assurant deny repair coverage on a laptop because the owner of the laptop couldn't provide evidence that their home owner's insurance didn't cover surge protection damage, and because the owner couldn't prove the electrical failure on the laptop wasn't due a 3rd party power supply.
I've seen Assurant's repair facilities take 60 days to replace a bad motherboard, and than once the laptop is finally returned, it had a burned-in LCD and the incorrect operating system image on it.

Sadly the company that botched that, and many many more repair jobs isn't Assurant. It's company named Blue Raven Technology, who Assurant outsources repairs to, the same company that handles extended warranty repairs for Best Buy, Circuit City, Staples, CompUSA, Sears, Radio Shack and dozens of other companies.

(Overpriced Retail Sales)-->(Rip Off Assurant Warranty) -->(Incompetent Blue Raven Electronics Repair)

@danno50:

Um, the OP doesn't say he was given the number, he said he tried to call the "Consumer Protection Plan Hotline" which is *not* what the 1-888-333-2333 number is - which I explained in my post what the number
actually *was* (Firedog) chucklebuck is correct in saying I was mentioning the number only to clarify why the number didn't work.

That is odd...I've had no trouble reaching the number on my CC receipt. I've been going through the motions, and supposedly Assurant just approved a full panel replacement on my TV. I'm still wary however, as I know that a replacement should cost WAY more than a new TV, and the repairman told me himself that the chances of them going the full panel replacement route were almost non-existant (they don't make the same panel anymore, I'm sure, and seeing as how my old panel was IPS, I'm not about to accept a junk TN panel replacement, or a refurb replacement that will just die again in a similar fashion in another year. How paying a repairman to make multiple visits is cheaper than just replacing it...I have no idea)

I call Assurant (the CC number) and they tell me that I need to wait for the repair company to contact me. I call the repair company, and they don't seem to know anything either. I'm probably going to escalate tomorrow, if I don't get a call from either the repair company, or Assurant. The superbowl is less than a week away now, and my TV has a huge black line through it. It's time for them to either send someone to fix the problem, or if the part is taking too long to order (The repair company doesn't even seem to think they've been told to order anything), to replace my TV with a new one.

I hate dealing with these people over the phone where they have no compelling reason to want to help, and most likely a policy from their boss to stall as long as humanly possible. This is a far cry from the "if it breaks, you can take it right back to this store and exchange it for a brand new one" sales pitch that I was given, even if they are liquidating. From reading consumerist over the past couple of years, I doubt they would have honored that sales pitch anyway.

Buyer beware. Unlike in the old days when a warranty meant a new replacement if the old product were to break, it now means that they'll drag their feet, string you along, count beans and make sure that their solution to your problem is the cheapest, slowest method available to them. I'm not sure who to be annoyed with in the situation, as I have no idea how much communication the repair company is able to have with assurant right now, but I know that I'm not putting up with this much longer.

If they can't have it done in time for the superbowl, I'm buying a new TV from Costco, where I know that I can just take it back in to the store for a new one if something goes wrong.

@KCChiefsFan: Two things:

1) What is the way to escalate with Assurant? They're the company backing all CompUSA service plans, and I'm having problems with my own service plan. Every time I call, they refuse to transfer me to a supervisor. I could to an EECB, but don't know who to direct it to...

2) Costco just changed their return policy on electronics to 90 days. Be sure to read the full terms of the return policy before buying from Costco just because of their (old) return policy.

@madog: Well I'm sure David can learn that lesson, then time travel and unbuy it over two years ago.

@danno50: ...how is he giving out a number that the OP already tried to call? And what does December of 09 have to do with anything, since Puryo was talking about a purchase predating December 06?

Now who had the stupid soup?

@Ayo:

I would be calling everyday.. The longer you wait the longer you will get screwed by the company procedures. Your laptop will disappear and they will say 'sorry about your luck, but we went bankrupt so no replacement for you'

@TechnoDestructo: Dear Consumerist,
I bought a TV at Best Buy and got the extended warranty, but I had looked at the same exact TV at Circuit City first.
My question is...

@coren: Yeah, I'm sure David will think twice before he buys another extended warranty from a company that will go out of business two years later!

@se7a7n7: Dont forget to have them recalibrate the quad nodal rotary splint.

And they need to replace the digital comb filter.

@levenhopper:

I haven't tried yet. Well, I suppose I have, but I have no way of knowing if I was really escalated, or just transferred. Basically if you ask for a supervisor, and they won't give you one, you have two options: 1. Find the direct line to executive help (or whatever they call it) via google (sorry, I don't have it...yet lol) or EECB.

Not giving out the number to a supervisor is completely inexcusable as far as I'm concerned. What happened to "the customer is always right"? Do they think it doesn't apply to them because they are just the company behind the warranties, and not the company selling them on a day to day basis? It may be true that most people (the bulk of people) that buy a warranty think or expect that it comes directly from the store they've bought it from. Maybe CC's liquidation is a good opportunity to educate people on how a warranty could be coming from a third party company. They sure don't tell you at the point of sale.

I should mention this though; They haven't done anything untoward to me at this point. I'm not sure they have anyway. The delay and what I perceive to be the runaround could very well just be confusion due to the shuttering of CC stores. For all I know, they could be trying to figure out who will pickup my TV (if they are giving me a new one. I still have no idea, and I've called again since the last post) or if LG even has the type of panel the repair company needs (if they are indeed repairing it...who knows).

I'm a bit sad to hear about costco changing their policy, but I'll bet they will still be easier to deal with than a BB/CC/Etc. Unlike other retail stores, they count on members to fuel their business. Keeping paying members happy is their job, and if it means expediting the repair/replacement of a TV before the super bowl, I have a feeling that they'd do it, even if it cost them a few extra dollars. Then again, they've always been known for great customer service, whereas CC was never known for it that I can remember.

Anyway, good luck.

I purchased my 61'' Samsung DLP in 2004 and, it started acting buggy ... after about 3 fixes by the local repair shop the Circuit City folks just refunded my purchase price. I was patient, polite and allowed the process to go forward and it worked as advertised. When you buy a warranty expect to jump through the hoops but patience and kindness will result in the right outcome for both you and the warranty company.

@danno50: Someone forgot to take their reading pills today!

@kcvaliant: You can also think about getting laptop insurance instead of an extended warranty. Covers for theft and breakage, even if your fault and not that expensive.

Funny story, I got what I believe is the third letter in the mail from the Circuit trying to get me to buy extended warranty for the tv I bought over a year ago, last night.

Can't say I didn't find that completely hilarious.

The number to call for your TV purchased before 2006 tells you to fax in the information. I have found no way to talk to anyone. The other number just says they don't handle purchases before 2006. It was only yesterday that I fax the information, so we will see what happens, but so far, no phone call.

@vlv723: I thought the point of Chris' response to the OP's letter was that it would not be worthless.. Just serviced by a different company.

(To be fair, I think they're worthless on their face. If I'd added an extra $150-400 to each and every electronics purchase I've ever made.. well, I'd be able to afford a lot less electronics).

"Extended warranty? How can I lose?" -Homer in HOMR

The problem with these service plans is that there are 3 or 4 level of sub-contractors between the retailer and the service tech. I worked for a company that did these repairs. The way it usually works is that the retailer contracts a company like Assurant to run the support claims. Assurant uses a service provider like ServRight to find local technicians. ServRight contracts with local businesses to actually complete the repair. More often the not the repair tech is dispatched with little more than a PDF copy of a service manual (if he's lucky) and a box of parts to be replaced and shipped back up the chain. Actually, most of the time, I was sent out with just a box of parts, a screw driver, and orders to simply replace the parts that "look like what's in the box".

That's some reassuring knowledge, isn't it.

@KCChiefsFan:

I doubt anyone is still reading this story much less this comment but I figured I'd give an update anyway.

Basically I called earlier and got a guy that said that the warranty company still had not heard from the repair company. This is probably the truth but it's the exact opposite of what the last warranty rep told me. Whatever the case the guy calls the repair company and comes back on to tell me what I already knew; A panel replacement would cost more than a full TV replacement. Now I'm waiting for that bit of knowledge to work its way up the chain of command to a manager that actually has the authority to authorize a replacement. Supposedly that will take till monday or tuesday (till after the super bowl essentially). I suppose I could have escalated but considering that this is the result I knew was probable from the start I didn't want to push my luck. I'll save the pushing for when they approve the replacement and want to haggle about which replacement TV I should get. Trying to get them to replace the full cost of the TV is going to be difficult. It's not that big of a deal since I can get a much nicer TV for much less money now that prices have hit rock bottom but I'm still almost certain that somebody is going to get on the phone and offer me a refurb which I'll then have to refuse etc. It's really unfortunate that CC went down because for 3/4 the price I paid for my TV two years ago I could have got a 50 inch Samsung Plasma or a 46 inch Panasonic Plasma during their sales. The same TV's could still be had at Bestbuy but I don't know if the warranty company can even give a BB gift card for a warranty purchased at CC (I don't see why not...it's the exact same policy).

Oh well I'll find out Tuesday.

@WylieMenestheus:

I'm curious, was this during the lemon law period? It differs by state, but basically it says that a company has to give you a refund or a replacement if an item you buy from them stops functioning within X amount of days.

I'm curious, because I'd LOVE to get the full purchase price of my broken TV refunded, but this is basically the first time I've ever heard of a full refund (and not a replacement, etc) being given out by CC. It would make sense if the lemon law applied, but it's practically a miracle if you got a full refund from the warranty company.

@iameleveneight:

I agree. While the warranty may still be valid, not having a brick and mortar location to drop off your old TV and pick up a replacement is a complete deal breaker. For repair you are fine, as long as the item can actually be repaired, but I have no idea how they are going to handle replacing a TV when I can neither drop my TV off at circuit city, use a gift card, or use store credit (which are essentially the normal options they give you). I'm basically going to try to get them to buy me a new TV from BB or Costco, and to send me a box to ship my old TV to them in. If they tell me I'll have to wait until they verify delivery of my TV to them before I can get a new TV, I'll probably lose it. Ditto if they try to force a refurb on me.

SandhyaFerret,

Same with me, it's been a week since I faxed them my stuff. Haven't received a reply, so no way of knowing what's going on or if they're even in service.

Add to that, there's no way of getting in contact with a representative because it's just an automated message. grrrr

@SandhyaFerret: yes I am having the same trouble, on hold now in fact. Faxed the info yesterday. I was really concerned when they couldn't find our info in the system! Our warranty is in effect until 2010! I always loved dealing with the Advantage Plan, they were right on the ball and service was terrific. So far this takover company sucks

Good luck trying to get through to the number for warranty service for TVs purchased prior to 12/1/06 (1-800-286-0470). All that you'll get is a recorded message advising that "due to higher than expected call volume" to call back later. I tried that number many times over the past two weeks and kept getting the same message. I also tried the option given in the message, which was to fax my claim to them at 312-395-9898. I did that last week, and never heard back from anyone.

Today, I called the main number for the company who services the extended warranty (The Warranty Group / Virginia Surety Company). I talked to the switch board operator, explained that I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to speak to a human being regarding my warranty claim, and they patch me through directly to the Call Center.

Soooo, if you have been having difficulty in speaking with someone to file a claim, call The Warranty Group's main number which is 312-356-3000 and punch 0 to be connected to an operator.

PJ - what happened once you got thru to a live body at TWG? We have been trying for over 2 weeks as well after sending the faxes 2x. We have been without a TV for over 2mos - CC had come out and ordered a part to repair it but we got caught in the liquidation. Any help or guidance would be great.

@IsaiahMaia:

TWG faxed my claim to a local repair shop who I subsequently got in contact with on Wednesday. The local repair shop verified my claim with TWG and has ordered my parts.

I'd suggest calling TWG, give them your claim number, and ask them to get a status . .

@pjschwartz:
Thank you for the information. I called the number you suggested after numerous unsuccessful attempts to get help for a replacement part needed for my tv (which was allegedly shipped in January). Anyway, I got through right away to very helpful people and was assured that they were sending my needed parts today.

I smell a lawsuit coming.

I bought my sony xbr4 in 2008. Luckily, I haven't had any problems, BUT, it one does arise, I know that I am going to be in deep sh@#! The funny thing is...not too long ago, I received a letter from CC to see if I wanted to extend my current warranty on a sony laptop. I am glad I didn't.

@pjschwartz:

Thank you so much for the information. After a week and a half of trying to get in at the 1-800-286-0470, I tried the 1-312-395-9898. Unfortunately, after two attempts with the operator help, I still could get through. So I had her give me the ext so I could try it on my own and she me two. The first one is 312-395-9898 ext 856502 and if you have a claim number its 312-395-9898 ext 80998. I call the second ext out of frustration and left a message but wasn't expecting to hear anything. I did finally get through on the 1-800 number but I got up early and it took an hour. Then later that evening I got a call back from my earlier message.

The poor guy explain that when they took on CC warranty plan they were not expecting this kind of on slot. It has over loaded there system so much that they can barely keep up.

Now I was calling about home entertainment speaker so not sure if the numbers apply to other items.

As it turns out my speakers are covered under the manufacturer for five years and I've only had for three. I love polkaudio.

For all of you who doubt the extended warranty...let me tell you that it DOES work. The whole process took about two months but I got a tech to come to my house, determine that my 42" DLP HD TV wasnt fixable to the point where I got a brand new 42" Panasonic 1080p Plasma HD replacement TV. While the two months seemed like forever...it was well worth it! I have a new TV that is a million times better than my old one ever was and I didn't have to do much work at all. Faxed a letter with my info, receipt and the problem and voila! Problem solved!

I just called the Circuit City # on the posting, (800)878-1167, and it is correct. I got an appointment for tomorrow morning for my washing machine. I can not do anything about the dryer motor, it has to seize or burn out first - GE will be offering the extended service contracts. The phone # for that is (800)6262224. The internet

Hi, does anyone know how to find the Advantage Extended Warranty plan on line to read ...I have tried everything...I have a Sony that continously goes green...this will be my 3rd repair...I want a replacement!!!! Thanks Leslie

Assurant Solutions is NOT honoring my product warranty, so I wrote our local news team and am contacting an attorney about it.

Here's my story: [thefeministbreeder.typepad.com]